Some people say, “why fix baby teeth as they are only going to fall out eventually anyway?” Even though baby teeth are temporary, it is important to realize how essential they are to chewing, speech and management of the space needed for adult teeth to grow into the mouth. Baby molars are typically in the mouth until your child is 9 to 12 years old, while the front top and bottom teeth are in place until 6 – 8 years old.
Several reasons why you should take care of your child’s primary teeth including one that could lead to a lifetime of oral health problems.
- Your child’s smile can affect their self-esteem
- Baby teeth guide the eruption of permanent teeth. If they fall out early due to decay, the permanent teeth can erupt in the wrong place.
- Baby teeth allow for proper nutrition by enabling proper chewing.
- Baby teeth can help your child develop proper speech.
- Failure to treat cavities and decay can cause significant pain and possibly lead to the formation of an abscess.
At Chestermere Station Pediatric Dentistry, our team promotes regular checkups as part of a good oral hygiene regimen. Oral hygiene is something that should not be taken lightly! By scheduling regular dental checkups, you can ensure that your child maintains good oral health.
We recommend regular checkups at least every six months, and occasionally more frequent checkups are necessary. By seeing our dentists at least twice a year, our team can:
- Check for problems that you or your child cannot see or feel
- Detect the early signs of decay
- Treat any oral health issues while they are still manageable.
Regular dental hygiene checkups include a thorough cleaning, polishing, and an oral exam. During the oral exam, our team will check the health of your child’s mouth, the teeth, the gums, the cheeks and the tongue. The Canadian Dental Association recommends that a baby’s first dental visit occur within six months of eruption of the first primary tooth OR no later than twelve months of age, whichever comes first. With early intervention, we can help your child establish good oral health habits.
During each visit, we will also check any old fillings and ensure that they are still in good shape as the constant pressure from chewing, grinding, or clenching can cause them to wear away, chip, or crack.
The team at Chestermere Station Pediatric Dentistry welcomes children of all ages and we are dedicated to making your child’s smile shine!